Santa Katarina – Northern El Salvador

After a break for lunch during which we ate the most heavenly pupusas (a local dish comprised of a tortilla filled with pork, beans and cheese), in a small outdoor restaurant near the clinic, the skies opened up and brought a heavy downpour that continued for the better part of an hour. We had just ducked into the building that houses the clinic when the rain really let loose and we heard a cacophony of drops pelting the corrugated tin roof and completely obliterating all other sounds in the room. Rivers of water began to flow down the dirt roads surrounding the building. Women were ducking into the door with babies in arm, some with umbrellas, many without. Unbelievably, the rain came harder and sound grew louder; it was completely deafening. Our group and those visiting the clinic for care looked at each other and just smiled and waited. We played with the children, engaged the moms, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

When the rain let up, I had the opportunity to meet Sandy and her daughter four-year-old daughter, Darlene. Darlene seemed to me one of the most vibrant children I’d met all day. She was full of curiosity and energy; very engaging. I was eager to learn more about Darlene and her mother.

Sandy, a confident young mother, was eager to share. She immediately stated that a year ago, prior to their participation in the Libras De Amor program, little Darlene was underweight, had a much smaller appetite and lacked the stamina that she has today. Sandy was thrilled to see such positive changes in her daughter. She reported that Darlene had gained 5 pounds over the last year and seemed to appreciate the connection between the vitamin A supplementation Darlene was receiving through the program and her improved condition. Sandy also proudly reported that her daughter was showing a greater interest in learning, and said that even though Darlene is only four, she has begun teaching her the alphabet and numbers at home. At her mother’s request, Darlene happily demonstrated her new knowledge of the alphabet.

I asked Sandy if there were any challenges in providing food for her family and what sort of diet Darlene was consuming. I learned that Sandy’s husband had a regular job and earned enough to provide for the family, and that through FUSAL’s program she has learned about cooking, eating a variety of foods whenever possible, proper hygiene, and other lessons that have impacted the family positively.

A happy and proud mom, Sandy told me that Darlene’s favorite food is pasta and that she loves carrots and vegetables, but that does not like beans - at all! When asked what Darlene’s favorite thing to do was, Sandy quickly replied that she loves to sing. I asked Darlene if she would like to sing a song for us. She readily offered to sing two, and treated us to a wonderful performance.

Clearly this young child is now thriving in part due to the vitamin A she is receiving through Vitamin Angels’ Operation 20/20 program, which is helping to give her the foundation for good health that will last a lifetime. When asked what was most important to Sandy as a mother, she replied that she wanted her child to get a good education both at home and eventually at school. That she wanted Darlene to grow to be a good person with strong values. And that in life she hopes Darlene will have more opportunities than she herself has had. She wanted to thank all those involved in giving her child and her family the opportunity for greater health.

Vitamin Angels is reaching 98,500 Salvadoran children under-5 with vitamin A and an additional 1,301 mothers with prenatal vitamins through our partnership with implementation partners Map International and local grantee, FUSAL.